KWT vs. XLFI

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

KWT (iShares MSCI Kuwait ETF) and XLFI (State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - KWT is a Financials Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Kuwait Select Size Liquidity Capped Index, while XLFI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by State Street. KWT is passively managed, while XLFI is actively managed. Over the past year, KWT returned 1.59% vs 11.89% for XLFI. Their 0.28 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. KWT charges 0.74%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XLFI.

Performance

KWT vs. XLFI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Kuwait ETF (KWT) and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLFI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KWT achieves a -1.11% return, which is significantly lower than XLFI's 4.70% return.

KWT

• 1D: 0.37%
• 1M: 1.54%
• 6M: 0.83%
• YTD: -1.11%
• 1Y: 1.59%
• 3Y*: 9.43%
• 5Y*: 8.16%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.86%

XLFI

• 1D: 0.34%
• 1M: 3.60%
• 6M: 6.29%
• YTD: 4.70%
• 1Y: 11.89%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.21%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
KWT iShares MSCI Kuwait ETF	$420.28K	$307.57K	$205.85K
XLFI State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	$183.60K	$216.70K	$174.14K

KWT vs. XLFI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
KWT iShares MSCI Kuwait ETF	-1.11%	2.83%
XLFI State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	4.70%	5.40%

Correlation

The correlation between KWT and XLFI is 0.28, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.28
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2025	0.28

KWT vs. XLFI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	KWT	XLFI
Financial Services	65.3%	100.4%
Real Estate	11.6%	-
Industrials	9.7%	-
Communication Services	6.6%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.5%	-
Basic Materials	2.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	1.6%	-
Utilities	0.6%	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

KWT vs. XLFI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

KWT

KWT Risk / Return Rank: 12
KWT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
KWT Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
KWT Omega Ratio Rank: 12
KWT Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
KWT Martin Ratio Rank: 12

XLFI

XLFI Risk / Return Rank: 32
XLFI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
XLFI Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
XLFI Omega Ratio Rank: 35
XLFI Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
XLFI Martin Ratio Rank: 29

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

KWT vs. XLFI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Kuwait ETF (KWT) and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLFI). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	KWT	XLFI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.12	1.02	-0.90
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.26	1.38	-1.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.03	1.19	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.14	1.00	-0.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.29	2.82	-2.54

KWT vs. XLFI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KWT Sharpe Ratio is 0.12, which is lower than the XLFI Sharpe Ratio of 1.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KWT and XLFI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

KWT vs. XLFI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KWT drawdown since its inception was -24.37%, which is greater than XLFI's maximum drawdown of -11.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KWT and XLFI.

Drawdown Indicators

	KWT	XLFI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.37%	-11.89%	-12.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.54%	-11.89%	+0.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.58%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.37%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.89%	0.00%	-5.89%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.29%	-3.00%	-4.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.59%	4.22%	+1.37%

Volatility

KWT vs. XLFI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI Kuwait ETF (KWT) is 2.53%, while State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLFI) has a volatility of 2.83%. This indicates that KWT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLFI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KWT	XLFI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.53%	2.83%	-0.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.83%	9.10%	+0.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.37%	11.80%	+1.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.60%	11.86%	+1.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.87%	11.86%	+2.01%

KWT vs. XLFI - Expense Ratio Comparison

KWT has a 0.74% expense ratio, which is higher than XLFI's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

KWT vs. XLFI - Dividend Comparison

KWT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.57%, less than XLFI's 12.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
KWT iShares MSCI Kuwait ETF	5.57%	5.40%	6.09%	2.25%	5.87%	7.65%	0.27%
XLFI State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	12.09%	5.57%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KWT and XLFI in my portfolio?

KWT and XLFI have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KWT or XLFI?

XLFI has higher volatility (2.83%) compared to KWT (2.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KWT dropped -24.37% vs XLFI's -11.89%.

Which ETF is better, KWT or XLFI?

On 1-year performance, XLFI leads with 11.89% vs 1.59% for KWT. On fees, XLFI is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, KWT has been the lower-risk option at 2.53%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KWT or XLFI?

Over the 1-year period, XLFI has performed better with a 11.89% return vs 1.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KWT or XLFI?

XLFI is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.74% for KWT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, KWT or XLFI?

XLFI has the higher dividend yield at 12.09%, compared with 5.57% for KWT.

What is the main difference between KWT and XLFI?

KWT is categorized as Financials Equities, while XLFI is Derivative Income. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.74% for KWT and 0.35% for XLFI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLFI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.01 vs 0.12), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.